08 February 2012
Tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said.
According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Click on date for more details
Bhadra Tiger Reserve
The Bhadra Tiger Reserve lies within the Karnataka part of the Western Ghats, part of the Malenad-Mysore Tiger Landscape (MMTL). It is one of a network of fourteen protected wildlife reserves within a matrix of interconnected reserve forests. These reserves are under severe threat from illegal hunting and logging and excessive livestock grazing. Developmental activities such as dams and mines pose serious long-term threats of habitat fragmentation and increased exploitation of tiger habitat.
One of the most critical needs in the MMTL is to carry out biological monitoring of tiger and prey populations and evaluate the efficacy of conservation interventions. To this end GTP has helped equip the Bhadra Field Research Station. The Field Station provides basic accommodation and resources for researchers to undertake the following activities:
1. Conservation Education
The success of tiger conservation lies in increasing public support for the effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws and enhancing the awareness of tiger conservation values in the local communities around the project sites through conservation education program. The activities include conducting slide talks, field nature camp and public contact campaigns. Mainly youth, students and teachers are targeted under this program to make them aware of tiger conservation needs, protection of forest and wildlife, and also to spread the awareness. The enthusiastic participation of local community and our continuous efforts will result in increased public support for tiger conservation.
2. Capacity building
One of the main goals is to build local capacity to save tigers. This is carried out through training of wildlife biologists, park management personnel, and volunteers. The researchers are trained in population estimation and sampling methods, mapping and monitoring and distribution of species of interest.
3. Biological Monitoring
Biological monitoring activities are integral to tiger conservation. Camera trap surveys and line transect surveys are being conducted annually to monitor tiger and prey populations. These help reveal population trends and the efficacy of conservation interventions for evaluation.
One of the most critical needs in the MMTL is to carry out biological monitoring of tiger and prey populations and evaluate the efficacy of conservation interventions. To this end GTP has helped equip the Bhadra Field Research Station. The Field Station provides basic accommodation and resources for researchers to undertake the following activities:
1. Conservation Education
The success of tiger conservation lies in increasing public support for the effective enforcement of wildlife protection laws and enhancing the awareness of tiger conservation values in the local communities around the project sites through conservation education program. The activities include conducting slide talks, field nature camp and public contact campaigns. Mainly youth, students and teachers are targeted under this program to make them aware of tiger conservation needs, protection of forest and wildlife, and also to spread the awareness. The enthusiastic participation of local community and our continuous efforts will result in increased public support for tiger conservation.
2. Capacity building
One of the main goals is to build local capacity to save tigers. This is carried out through training of wildlife biologists, park management personnel, and volunteers. The researchers are trained in population estimation and sampling methods, mapping and monitoring and distribution of species of interest.
3. Biological Monitoring
Biological monitoring activities are integral to tiger conservation. Camera trap surveys and line transect surveys are being conducted annually to monitor tiger and prey populations. These help reveal population trends and the efficacy of conservation interventions for evaluation.
